Duplicating machine



March 27, 1934. 1. M. NEWGARD 1,952,629

DUPLICATI-NG MACHINE Filed May 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. bigwaid flea/yard A TTORNEYS.

Mmh 27, 1934. I, M, NEW RD 1,952,629

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

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March 27, 1934. M. NEWGARD DUPLICATING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2, 1931 JNVENTOR.

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Patented Mar. 27, 1934 pears STATES PATENT oFFicE '20 Claims.

This invention has relation to duplicators and other reproducing machines, such as commonly used in onices and other places of business.

The general object of my invention is to provide a simple, practical duplicating machine convenient to operate. More particularly my object is the provision of improved means for maintaining a stack of printing paper correctly positioned within the machine. A further object is to provide a film suporting carriage frame above such stack of paper and improved means for manipulating the carriage of this frame. Another object is to provide means for separating each sheet of paper after the printing is completed, for the purpose of ready removal from the machine. With these objects in view the invention consists in the novel combinations hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which: i

Fig. 1 is a plan view-of a duplicator embodying the'invention, parts being broken away for the sake of clearness,

Figs. 2 and t are sectional side elevations substantially in agreement with Figure 1,

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the duplicating film of the device,

Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation illustrating the preferred means of supporting andguiding the carriage, and

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a modified form of structure.

The particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings comprises a base 1, on which a carriage frame 2 is mounted by means of pivots 3 and 4. This frame is at thefront end provided with a transverse, stationary slot 5, and at the rear endis hung a grooved, spring held arm 6, which members are adapted to support a duplicating film '7. The latter is made from a sheet of impermeable fabric, such as oilcloth, the soft side of which is coated with a'gelatinous film and it is at both ends made with a light sheet metal reinforcing strip 8, 9, as best shown in Fig. 3. The reinforcedends of this film are in the first instance'bent into the slot 5 and the groove of the arm 6, substantially as shown.

The numeral 10 denotes a stack of paper placed in the bottom of the base 1 with one end resting against a stationary, transverse partition, 11.

Between this partition and the end plate of the base is pivot-ally hung a yoke 12 and the front edge of this 'yoke is by means of suitable springs 13 held pressed against the upper surface of the stock of paper. A paper gage 14 is mounted to slide on the partition 11 for the purpose of maintaining the stack of paper in position. with the far side edge abutting the side plate 16 of the base.

The rear end of the paper stack is held lightly in position by means of a spring finger 17. This finger forms part of an adjustable bar 18, which may be moved lengthwise within the base until the front edge 19 of the resilient arm supporting the finger coincides with the rear edge of the stack of paper. The arm 19 is integral with the bar 18 and it supports a slide 20, which, by means of an eccentric cam 21, is held pressed against the side plate 16 of the base.

For the purpose of sliding the paper gage 14 on the partition 11, it is shown forming part of 6 a U-shaped slide 15, which by means of a set screw or thumb screw may be fastened to the partition in adjusted position. x

The frame pivot 4 terminates in a pendent arm 26, the end of which is shaped to support a counter-balancing spring 27. A stud 28 is mounted on the frame a short distance from the pivot 4 and this stud supports a steel band, or chain 29, the outer end of which is fastened to a sliding rod 30. A'spring 31 extends from the opposite'end of the rod to the end of the base for the purpose of maintaining the band 29-taut. The band is shown bent over a roller 32 in order to maintain an' alinement of the band withithe rod 30 and spring 31, when the carriage frame is swung on its pivots. Near the front edge of the base is mounted a bell-crank 33, which. by means of a link 34 is-connected to raise the front edge of the yoke 12, against the tension of the springs 13. From the lower end of the bell-crank 33jex- 96 tends a bar 35, terminating in a plate 36, and the latter is perforated to slide on the rod 30. ,A collar 37 is mounted on this rod adjacent to the plate 36. V

The purpose of the mechanism just described 5 is to raise the yokerlZ at a predeterminedmoment.

When .the carriageframe is resting on the base, the stud 28'is located in close proximity to the roller 32 and the rod 30 is by the spring 31 pulledforward, causing the collar 37 to withdraw from the plate 36, but when the carriage frame is elevated on its pivots this collar commences to approach and finally to reach the plate 35, whereupon a further movement of the frame causes the collar and plateto move together a short distance, and duringthis movement toraise' the yoke 12 from the stack of paper.

on the far side of the carriage frame is shown mounted a pawl38 for engagement with a stud 1 40 of the base, for the purpose of maintaining the carriage frame elevated when desired. This pawl is shown made with a finger piece 39, for the purpose of manually affecting such engagement. This pawl will, by gravity or otherwise, drop away from the stud 40 when the carriage frame is further elevated. Ordinarily, when the carriage frame is raised and lowered during the printing operation, this pawl remains inactive and it is only brought into action manually as aforesaid. Within the frame 2 is mounted a carriage 45, supporting a pressure roller 46, and this roller is, by means of a handle 47, caused to travel back and forth over the duplicating film 7, when the frame is resting on the base, in order to deposit a portion of the printing medium imbedded in the film on the top surface of the stack of the paper, as is customary in duplicating practice.

The carriage frame is made with guide rollers 48, supported on arms 45a and riding on a top flange 49 of the carriage frame. It is important that the carriage be given ample play vertically within the frame 2, in order that the roller 46 may adapt itself to the diminishing height of the stack of paper during the printing operation. At thesame time means should be provided for limiting this movement of the carriage within the frame and such means is here shown to comprise a roller 50, of the carriage, alined to ride on a bottom flange 51 of the frame 2. As this flange limits the movement of the carriage, there is no danger of the carriage dropping through the frame entirely, when the duplicating film is removed. It is important to main tain the carriage in transverse alinement within the frame 2 and this may be accomplished by mounting rollers 52 on top of the carriage for contacts with the inner side surface of the frame 2 substantially as indicated in the drawings.

From the foregoing descriptions it should be clear to those versed in the art, that a stack of paper is in the first instance placed within the base and that the uppermost piece of paper has thereon imprinted the matter which it is desired to duplicate. The stack of paper is then properly positioned lengthwise and crosswise within 'the'base by means of the adjustable gage l4 and the finger 17. I

Thereupon, the duplicating film is mounted on the frame 2, and the latter is released for movement on the base by liberating the pawl 38 from the stud 40, whereupon the frame 2 is lowered until it rests on the base. The carriage is thereupon caused to travel back and forth over the surface of the duplicating film, which latter is given a chance to absorb a sufiicient portion of ink or other printing substance from the stack of paper. It is important to limit the movement of the carriage, in order that the roller 46 may not travel too far towards the rear. To this end I have shown a stop 53 mounted to slide on the top flange 49 of the frame 2 and this stop may, by means of a set screw. 54, be set to arrest the pressure roller before it reaches the spring finger 17. The forward movement of the carriage is limited by the end plate of the frame 2. A buffer 55 may be introduced to soften the impact of the carriage against the stop 53.

During the printing operation,'the carriage is free to travel back and forth over the duplicating film, but, when the carriage frame is elevated, it is desirable to lock the carriage in forward position in order to prevent injury to the duplicating film. To this end I have mounted a plunger 56 at the front end of the frame 2, and

this plunger is shown pivoted on an arm 57 of a rocker 58. The latter is provided with a rearwardly extending pawl 59, and this pawl is shaped to engage a hook 60 of the carriage.

By gravity, or otherwise, the plunger 56 normally hangs below the frame 2, confining the carriage hook 60 behind the pawl 59, thereby locking the carriage in forward position, but when the frame is lowered into the base it is to be noted, that this plunger 56 strikes the top of the paper, thereby causing the pawl 59 to rise and to release the carriage.

When sumcient time has been given for the film to absorb the printing medium, the operator takes hold of the carriage handle 47 and commences to elevate the frame 2. The uppermost sheet of paper will now adhere tenaciously to the duplicating film and its rear edge will be pulled out from under the spring finger 17. The front edge of the paper is, on the other hand, held firmly by the yoke 12. As a consequence, the rear end of the paper will rise with the frame for a certain distance until the frame becomes entirely withdrawn from the paper. During this movement of the paper, a finger 61 is caused to move under the elevated rear portion of the paper for the purpose of supporting it in elevated position, when it has become separated from the film. The front end of the paper is still held by the yoke 12 and is not released until the frame is entirely elevated. The paper may then be removed from the machine. The arm 61 is shown pivoted in a support 62 and is made with a projection 63, which by a link 64 connects the arm with a lever 65.

The outer end of this lever is shown resting against a collar 66 of the rod 30 and a spring 67 maintains this lever yieldingly pressed against the collar 66. From the foregoing it is seen, that the spring 67 urges the finger into a projected position and that'the collar 66 controls this move ment.

The operation above described is now repeated, until a sufficient number of copies have been printed, every part of the device continuing to function in the same manner.

It is my aim to provide a very compact machine, capable of being carried by the operator from place to place/without inconvenience. In the drawings, in my endeavor to show every part clearly, it has not been possible to illustrate such compactness, but anyone versed in the art should be in a position to design a commercially practical machine from the foregoing description.

Referring to Figure 2, the numeral 70 denotes a cover for the machine and this cover is shown hinged at the front end of the base. The only portion of the machine which projects any considerable amount, when the frame is lowered into the base, is the handle 47. To save space, this handle may conveniently be folded into the base, and is to this end shown mounted on pivots 71. A resilient plate 72 isshown fastened to the handle, and this plate is made with a finger piece 73, which terminates in a pin 74, seated in a perforation of the handle.

When it is desired to fold the handle into the base, it is only necessary to take hold of the along this bar until its inner edge 81 abuts the side edge of the paper stack.

The structure illustrated in Figs'fiand '7 is,

in most respects substantially the equivalent of 5 the device already described and it operates in a very similar manner. Only in the method of supplying ink to the device and of supporting the original, from which copies are to be made, does it differ from the structure described. The base oted frame 91 may remain substantially the same except that, in this case, the film receptacle 5 is omitted. Within this frame is seated an ink tray 92, provided with projections 93, which are fitted to ride in slots 94 of the frame. This tray is made at the front and rear ends with receptacles for a suitable fabric cover 95 which, for convenience, may be termed an ink distributor. On this distributor is laid an ordinary mimeograph stencil 96. The tray is made with a metal bottom 9'7 and theentire surface of this bottom is provided with fine perforations, substantially as indicated by the numeral 98.

The tray is filled with a suitable ink absorbing substance. This substance is from time to time saturated with ink which, during. the operation of the machine, seeps through the perforations 98 .onto the distributor 95 and, through the stencil 96, to the upper surface of the paper in the stack 10. The pressure roller carriage may also remain substantially as hereinbefore described. In operation, the frame 91 is lowered into the base, until the plunger 56 strikesthe top surface of the stack of paper to release the pressure roller carriage, which then is moved back and forth over the top of the ink tray,,applying sufficient pressure to force ink through the stencil into the top surface of the paper stack, as customary in mimeographing practice. to It is important to note that the bottom surface of the ink tray is materially curved, in order that perfect contact between the stencil and the top surface of the paper stack may be obtained, when the pressure roller is moved back and forth. Due to this curvature, a rocking motion of the tray takes place, during which movementthe projections 93 travel up and down through the guide slots 94. The reproduction of the exact shape of these slots is not herein attempted. It is sufficient to say that the shape'should be so'calculated, that the tray will rock on the paper surface without distorting the stencil relative to the printing surface. a

Means should also be provided for guiding the tray within the frame transversely, and such means are shown to take the shape of projections 87, 88, abutting the side walls of the frame.

When the frame is elevated, the pressure roller carriage is locked in forward position, as indicated in Fig. 7, substantially in the manner described in connection with Figs. 2 and 4. In this positionthe rear end of the inktray 92 isheld elevated, by means of a locking bar 100, and this bar is, at one end, made with a projection 101, which extends through :a slot in" the wall of the frame and lodges underneath the rear end of the tray. The front end of this bar is shaped to form a hook 102, which extends through the front wall of the frame and abuts the front edge of the pressure carriage. A suitable spring 103 extends from the rear projection 101 to-the rear wall of the frame and the function of this spring is to urge the locking bar rearwardly,in order that, when the pressure rolle'r carriage is moved rearwardly, the bar. projection lfllmay be withmay be exactly like the base 1, and the pivdrawn from under the rear end of the ink tray,

to free the latter for' the printing operation.

To those versed in the art, it should be clear,

that the stencil holder may be modified to'support a type segment,'such as used in multigraphSO machines, in which case an ink ribbon is stretched paper when the frame is lowered into the base,

a pressure roller within said frame for reciprocations over the top of said printing medium while in contact with said paper, and means for clamping said paper in position on the base during the printing operation.

2. In a'duplicator, a base adapted to receive a stack of paper, guiding means within the base for said paper, resilient means for firmly clamping the front end of the paper to the base, a frame 130 pivoted at the rear end of the base, a duplicator film attachable to. said frame and positioned for contact with the surface of said paper when the frame is lowered into the base, a pressure roller within the frame and movable across the'top surface of said film when in contact with said paper, and connections between the frame and the said paper clamping means for lifting said clamping'means oil the paper when the frame is fully elevated from the base. IE3

3. In a duplicator, a base shaped to receive a stack of paper, adjustable means for alining said paper within the base lengthwise and crosswise,

a frame pivoted in said base, a film attachable to said frame for contact with said paper. when the frame is lowered into the base, a roller carriage movable across the top of the film, means to lock said carriage against movement when the frame is being elevated from the base, and means for locking the frame in elevated position.

4. In a duplicator, a base adapted to receive a stack of paper, guiding means within the base for said paper, resilient means for firmly clamping the front end of the paper to the base, a frame pivoted at the rear end of the base, a duplicator I25 film attachable to said frame and positioned for contact with the surfaceof said paper when the frame is lowered into the base, a pressure roller within the frame and movable across the top surface of said film when in contact with said paper, and means for locking the frame in elevated position.

5. In a duplicatona base fitted to hold a stack of paper, a frame pivotally mounted within the said base, said frame being made at one end with a transverse groove, a grooved rocker pivotally mounted at the opposite end of said frame, a duplicator film mountable in the grooves of the frame and the said rocker, means to maintain said film under. tension, acarriage mounted for reciprocations within said frame and provided with a handlefor efiecting such reciprocations, ap ressure roller journaled in said frame for contact with the top surface of said film, means for locking said carriage at the front endof the frame when the latter is swung into upright position, said means including a plunger for contact with the topsurface of a paper when the frame is lowered into the base therebyto release the carriage for reciprocations. I

6. In a duplicator, a, base fitted to hold a stack of paper, a frame pivotally mounted within the said base, said frame being made at one end with a transverse groove, a grooved rocker pivotally mounted at the opposite end of said. frame, a duplicator film mountable in the grooves'of the frame and the said rocker, means to maintain said film under tension, a carriage mounted for reciprocations within said frame and provided with a handle for effecting such reciprocations, a pressure roller journaled in said frame for contact with the top surface of said film, means for looking said carriage. at the front end of the frame when the latter is swung into upright position, said means including a plunger for contact with the top surface of the paper when the frame is lowered into the base thereby to release the carriage for reciprocations, and means for guiding said carriage within the said frame.

'7. In a duplicator, a base fitted to receive printing paper, means for clamping one end of said paper in the base, a frame pivotally hung at the opposite end of the base, a duplicator film mountable on said frame for contact with the surface of said paper when the frame is lowered into the base, said film being made of adhesive material whereby the paper is caused to adhere to the film when the frame is being elevated from the base, a paper finger journaled at one side of the base, connections between the frame and the said finger to swing the finger underneath the paper as it is elevated with the rising film, and co-acting connecting means between the frame and the said clamping means for releasing the latter from the front end of the paper when the frame is fully elevated.

8. In a duplicator, a base fitted to receive printing paper, a frame pivoted at one end of said base, a film attachable to said frame for contact with said paper when the frame is lowered into the base, the paper being caused by adhesion to rise with the film when the frame is swung into upright position, means for clamping the front edge of said paper to the base, a paper finger journaled at one side of the base, cooperating connections between the frame the paper finger and the said clamping means for swinging said finger underneath the paper as it is elevated with the rising frame and for releasing the said clamping means when the frame is fully elevated, and a pressure roller mounted within said frame and movable across the top surface of said film when lowered by the base into contact with the said paper.

9. In a duplicator, a base fitted to receive a stack of paper, means for clamping one end of said paper to the base, a resilient finger pressing against the opposite end of the paper, a frame pivoted in the base behind said finger, a film attachable to said frame, a roller carriage for reciprocations within said frame over the top surface of the film when the frame is seated in the base, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said carriage, means for locking the carriage against movement when the frame is being elevated, a paper finger journaled in the base, connections between the frame and said finger for swinging the latter underneath the paper as it adheres to the rising film, and connecting means between the frame and the said clamping meansfor releasing the latter from the paper when the frame is fully elevated.

10-. In a duplicator, a base fitted to'hold printing paper, a frame pivotally mounted at one end of said base and fitted to hold a printing medium,

a carriage mounted to reciprocate within said frame to exert pressure against the said'pr-inting medium when the frame is lowered into the base, and means for locking said carriage against movement when the frame is elevated from the base.

11. In a duplicator, a rectangular base of a size to hold a stack of printing paper seated against one side wall and a partition near the front end,

a' detachable paper gage comprising an adjustable frame having a resilient arm for abutting the rear edge of the paper stack and terminating in a finger pressing against the top surface of the paper, an adjustable side gage for the paper slidable on said partition, a printing frame pivoted at the rear end of the base, a printing medium supported by said frame, and a roller carriage for reciprocation within said frame to press the printing medium against the top surface of the paper when the frame is lowered into the base.

12. In a duplicator, the combination with a base fitted to receive sheets of paper, a frame pivotally mounted. within said base, means for holding said paper clamped in position during the printing operation, a flexible ink-carrying printing medium supported by said frame, and means for applying pressure against the said printing medium when the frame is lowered into the base.

13. In a duplicator, a base fitted to hold printing paper, a frame pivotally mounted in said base, a flexible ink-carrying printing medium held suspended in said frame, means for exerting pressure against said printing medium when the frame is lowered into the base for the purpose of contacting the printing medium with said paper, means operatively connected with said frame for clamping the paper in position during the printing operation and means for locking the frame in elevated position.

14. In a duplicator, a base adapted to receive printing paper, alining means within the base for said paper, a frame pivotally mounted on the base, means controlled by said frame to clamp the paper during the printing operation, a flex ible ink-carrying printing medium supported by said frame for contact with said paper when the frame is lowered into the base, and means for applying pressure to the printing medium while in contact with said paper.

15. In a duplicator fitted to receive printing paper, a printing medium, a pivotally hung frame for supporting said printing medium, means for applying pressure to said printing medium when the frame is lowered to contact the printing medium with said printing paper, means for clamping one edge of said printing paper in position so as to prevent the printing medium from carrying away the adhering printed paper, supporting means operatively connected to be swung under the printed sheet of paper when the frame is elevated, and connections between the frame and the said clamping means for releasing the latter when the frame is fully elevated.

16. In a duplicator, a pivotally hung frame fitted to hold a printing medium for contact with said printing paper when the frame is lowered, a reciprocatory device in said frame for applying pressure to the said printing medium when in contact with the said paper, and means for looking said device against motion when the frame is elevated.

1'7. In a duplicator fitted to receive printing paper, a pivotally hung frame, a printing medium supported by said frame for contact with the printing paper when the frame is lowered, a support, connections between the frame and the said support to move the latter under each sheet of printed paper being by adhesion carried away by the printing medium when the frame 'is elevated after each printing operation, a clamping device for one edge of the printing paper, and connections between the frame and the said clamping device for releasing the latter when the frame is fully elevated,

18. In a printing device, a supportfor sheets of paper, a printing medium mounted to be moved toward and away from the paper on the support for the purpose of imprinting the paper, and means on the support and operatively connected with said printing means to withdraw each imprinted sheet of paper as the printing medium moves away from the paper.

19. In a printing device, a support fitted to hold a stack of paper, a printing medium journaled on the support for oscillation to and from said paper, and means forming part of the device and connected for operation by said printing medium, upon withdrawal of the latter after each imprintation, for drawing the imprinted sheet away from said stack of paper.

20. In a printing device, a support fitted to hold sheets of printing paper, a flexible ink-carrying printing medium forming part of the device and movable against and away from said paper for the purpose of imprintation, means for clamping said paper in position during the printing operation, and means for applying pressure against said printing medium while it is in contact with said paper.

INGWALD M. NEWGARD. 

